Lineage, Sacred Space, Chosen People
In class, we have extensively discussed the Eliadean theory of sacred space. These are spaces that God has chosen that allow believers to connect with their God. We established last class that the location of the temple was divinely chosen and serves as a sacred space for believers. Regardless of the fact, the temple fell this location was still sacred. We can see this in Haggai 1-2. These chapters show that God was displeased that the people had not rebuilt his "house". The messenger described how the heavens had withheld dew and the earth had withheld produce because the people had not rebuilt the temple. This shows that not only does sacred space connect believers with heaven, but if that space is neglected the people are not as connected with the heavens or the bounties they provide. Haggai 1-2 shows us the lineage of chosen people and the actions they took to in relation to sacred spaces to be the chosen people. 1 Macabbee, on the other hand, shows us that while Zerubbabel may have been chosen the sacred space still fell, after the time of King Darius, to Alexander the Great.
Haggai chapter 2 ends with a declaration that the main figure in question is chosen by God. This is not the first verse we have analyzed that has ended with a declaration of a chosen person, or that said chosen person's lineage would go on forever. It is also not the first time that we have read verses that show that does not happen. Theological history work to explain why these things happen it is still interesting though to address why it happens. David was to have everlasting ancestors who would save the world. Yet Jerusalem and the temple fell. Now Zerubbabel was chosen and we see the temple falls again. These claims of the chosen have fueled debates today and are used as debate points for claims over Jerusalem.
A significant portion of these verses is devoted to establishing the time as well as the lineage of the important actors. These verses also give us additional insight into theological history. The fact that promises of chosen people were made allows for future generations to make claims about second comings. In addition, as we saw with the promise that a Davidic ancestor would be the Messiah meant that the lineage of Jesus was very important to the Christian story. The detailed lineage, as well as timeline provided in these versus, can be used in debates later on. As we saw with archeology being used for political arguments so are lineages in bible verses. Lineage also provides us with a chronological context for the verses. The clear theological history present in these verses shows us how God is ever present in the decisions made, including when the temple should be rebuilt. Poor crop yield can be due to many factors, but theological history puts all these issues in the context of God.
Haggai chapter 2 ends with a declaration that the main figure in question is chosen by God. This is not the first verse we have analyzed that has ended with a declaration of a chosen person, or that said chosen person's lineage would go on forever. It is also not the first time that we have read verses that show that does not happen. Theological history work to explain why these things happen it is still interesting though to address why it happens. David was to have everlasting ancestors who would save the world. Yet Jerusalem and the temple fell. Now Zerubbabel was chosen and we see the temple falls again. These claims of the chosen have fueled debates today and are used as debate points for claims over Jerusalem.
A significant portion of these verses is devoted to establishing the time as well as the lineage of the important actors. These verses also give us additional insight into theological history. The fact that promises of chosen people were made allows for future generations to make claims about second comings. In addition, as we saw with the promise that a Davidic ancestor would be the Messiah meant that the lineage of Jesus was very important to the Christian story. The detailed lineage, as well as timeline provided in these versus, can be used in debates later on. As we saw with archeology being used for political arguments so are lineages in bible verses. Lineage also provides us with a chronological context for the verses. The clear theological history present in these verses shows us how God is ever present in the decisions made, including when the temple should be rebuilt. Poor crop yield can be due to many factors, but theological history puts all these issues in the context of God.
Comments
Post a Comment